Against the Wind - National Air Traffic Controllers Association

to automate certain air traffic functions through the
use of several computerized tools. Thornton was promoted
to acting director of the program in late 2001.
It’s About Time
Controllers toil in an aroundthe-clock
profession. They refer to
their constantly changing schedule
as “the rattler” because it bounces
them between day and night like a
baby’s toy. Days off, prime time annual
leave, and other matters are determined
by seniority. Consequently,
the issue is dear to the heart of every
controller.
When NATCA organized during
the mid-1980s, the issue of seniority cultivated
interest among controllers who hoped the new
union would give them a say in their work schedules.
At the time, each facility established its own
policy.
Some based seniority on controllers’ length of
service at the facility rather than how long they had
worked for the FAA. The policy discouraged controllers
from transferring to certain high-density operations,
such as Chicago Center, because they would
lose all the time they’d accrued.
As a result, those facilities were chronically
2000
27
Apr.
understaffed and controllers frequently had to work
overtime—although some enjoyed the extra pay and
did not want to see it diminished under a national
seniority policy.
Support for such a change had been
steadily brewing. Although delegates at the
1994 convention defeated a proposal to
abolish local policies, the prickly issue
arose again two years later in Pittsburgh.
Fractious debate raged throughout
the first day. Numerous controllers
lined up at microphones urging
the union to banish a disincentive for
those seeking to move up the ranks
and establish a fair system for everyone.
“We had to stand up and make
one policy for each and every controller
to make it fair. It’s about time we
had one policy,” said Barrett Byrnes, the
facility rep from Poughkeepsie Tower. 9
However, an equally vocal contingent pleaded
to retain control over their local policies. “Seniority
was a tool fac reps were able to use against management,”
New York TRACON facility rep Phil Barbarello
said. “Now, this is a tool I no longer have.” 10
Another contentious issue involved specifics
of the proposed national policy. Reflecting a disdain
More than 800 delegates attend NATCA’s eighth biennial convention at
the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage. Moves to revisit the seniority
plan and dues structure are voted down. The delegates approve an honor-
Chapter 6: Spreading its Wings
205
Convention credentials: Delegates wear
official badges as well as a potpourri of
other union trinkets. / NATCA archives
ary lifetime membership for Cathy Meachum, a longtime associate member
who created the NATCA Charitable Foundation with her husband,
Darrell. The foundation raises about $17,000 at the convention.